New Zealand can clinch berth in Vuitton Cup finals

Updated 11:38 pm, Saturday, July 20, 2013

Italy's Luna Rossa Challenge sails unopposed for a point in a round-robin race in the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger series. Luna Rossa trails New Zealand 5-3.

Italy's Luna Rossa Challenge sails unopposed for a point in a round-robin race in the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger series. Luna Rossa trails New Zealand 5-3.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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Luna Rossa sailed unopposed because Sweden's Artemis Racing is still not ready to compete after a capsizing May 9 that ruined its boat and claimed the life of Andrew Simpson. Artemis hopes to relaunch its new boat this week for testing. less

Luna Rossa sailed unopposed because Sweden's Artemis Racing is still not ready to compete after a capsizing May 9 that ruined its boat and claimed the life of Andrew Simpson. Artemis hopes to relaunch its new ... more

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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A kitesurfer takes to the course after Italy's Luna Rossa (background) defeated Artemis, which has yet to compete in the Louis Vuitton Challengers series, in a one-boat race in San Francisco, Calif. on Saturday, July 20, 2013. less

A kitesurfer takes to the course after Italy's Luna Rossa (background) defeated Artemis, which has yet to compete in the Louis Vuitton Challengers series, in a one-boat race in San Francisco, Calif. on ... more

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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Spectators on the jetty near the Marina Green watch Italy's Luna Rossa sail to the finish line to defeat Artemis of Sweden, which has yet to compete in the Louis Vuitton Challengers series, in a one-boat race in San Francisco, Calif. on Saturday, July 20, 2013. less

Spectators on the jetty near the Marina Green watch Italy's Luna Rossa sail to the finish line to defeat Artemis of Sweden, which has yet to compete in the Louis Vuitton Challengers series, in a one-boat race ... more

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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Italy's Luna Rossa sails near the Golden Gate Bridge while on its way to defeating Artemis of Sweden, which has yet to compete in the Louis Vuitton Challengers series, in a one-boat race in San Francisco, Calif. on Saturday, July 20, 2013. less

Italy's Luna Rossa sails near the Golden Gate Bridge while on its way to defeating Artemis of Sweden, which has yet to compete in the Louis Vuitton Challengers series, in a one-boat race in San Francisco, ... more

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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Italy's Luna Rossa sails past Alcatraz as it defeats Artemis of Sweden, which has yet to compete in the Louis Vuitton Challengers series, in a one-boat race in San Francisco, Calif. on Saturday, July 20, 2013.

Italy's Luna Rossa sails past Alcatraz as it defeats Artemis of Sweden, which has yet to compete in the Louis Vuitton Challengers series, in a one-boat race in San Francisco, Calif. on Saturday, July 20, 2013.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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Italy's Luna Rossa sails behind a recreational sailboat, on its way to defeating Artemis of Sweden, which has yet to compete in the Louis Vuitton Challengers series, in a one-boat race in San Francisco, Calif. on Saturday, July 20, 2013. less

Italy's Luna Rossa sails behind a recreational sailboat, on its way to defeating Artemis of Sweden, which has yet to compete in the Louis Vuitton Challengers series, in a one-boat race in San Francisco, Calif. ... more

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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Italy's Luna Rossa sails behind the historic scow schooner Alma, on its way to defeating Artemis, which has yet to compete in the Louis Vuitton Challengers series, in a one-boat race in San Francisco, Calif. on Saturday, July 20, 2013. less

Italy's Luna Rossa sails behind the historic scow schooner Alma, on its way to defeating Artemis, which has yet to compete in the Louis Vuitton Challengers series, in a one-boat race in San Francisco, Calif. on ... more

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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Italy's Luna Rossa turns the corner at the first marker in a match against Artemis, which has yet to compete in the Louis Vuitton Challengers series, in a one-boat race in San Francisco, Calif. on Saturday, July 20, 2013. less

Italy's Luna Rossa turns the corner at the first marker in a match against Artemis, which has yet to compete in the Louis Vuitton Challengers series, in a one-boat race in San Francisco, Calif. on Saturday, ... more

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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New Zealand can clinch berth in Vuitton Cup finals

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The last head-to-head race was a rout. Luna Rossa Challenge has a huge gap to close on Emirates Team New Zealand when they duel again Sunday.

If the Kiwis win the 12:15 p.m. race, they will clinch the round-robin phase of the Louis Vuitton Cup and earn a pass to the finals of the challenger series.

On Saturday, the Italian team closed New Zealand's points lead to 5-3 with a solo sail because Artemis Racing is still in the boatshed. New Zealand and Luna Rossa will each pick up points when scheduled to face the Swedish team through the rest of the round-robin.

Artemis is not expected to race until the semifinals.

"Obviously, we have lots of ground to make up on the Kiwis, and we knew it," Luna Rossa helmsman Chris Draper said. "We're sailing better, tacking better. Our upwind performance seems better, and the jibing is getting there. We're feeling more confident handling the boat, and hopefully we'll have bridged the gap when we're racing (Sunday)."

On TV: Contrary to earlier information supplied by the America's Cup, even the solo sails are being shown on Cozi TV, an NBC-owned cable channel available on Comcast channel 186. It is not available on satellite systems. The actual races also can be seen on the America's Cup YouTube channel.

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